Definition
An FAA-issued certificate that authorizes a person to inspect, maintain, repair, and approve for return to service the airframe and/or powerplant of certificated aircraft. The credential is formally called a mechanic certificate and is issued with one or both ratings: Airframe (A) and Powerplant (P), commonly held together as the A&P certificate.
Plain English
Official FAA permission allowing a qualified person to legally work on aircraft and sign off the work as airworthy.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of federal certification, maintenance rules, and who is legally allowed to work on an aircraft.
Derivation
Although 'license' is the everyday word, the FAA actually issues a 'certificate.' The two terms are used interchangeably in conversation, but on the document itself and in the regulations, it is a mechanic certificate with airframe and/or powerplant ratings.
Why Pilots Care
Only holders of this credential are legally allowed to return an aircraft to service after maintenance, directly affecting airworthiness and safety.
Intuition Check
Do not read license here as just a casual job title or general ability to fix things. In FAA use, it means official legal authorization to perform certain aircraft maintenance tasks.
Example Sentence 1
Before signing the logbook entry, the technician confirmed the work fell within the scope of his aircraft mechanic license.
Example Sentence 2
After completing the required tests, she received her aircraft mechanic license and began working at the repair station.